Propellant driven fan



Sept- 22, 1964 J. E. LAMKIN 3,149,462 PROPELLANT DRIVEN FAN Filed Jan. 18, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'IE. 2,

65 u 12 9a 9C 9 b a \f\ Ora/mm Y INVENTOR. 9 50 49 `12 Byz Vm www@ Sept 22 1964 J. E. LAMKIN 3,149,462

PROPELLANT DRIVEN FAN Filed Jan. 18, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 if /59 o ,l INVENTOR.

BY "a 2&7 of maza/nk@ @fmt Sept' 22 1964 J. E. LAMKIN 3,149,462

PROPELLANT DRI VEN FAN Filed Jan. 18, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fa/mm fd/mjn INVENTOR.

@ine/mt United States Patent O g 3,149,462 v PRGPELLANT DRIVEN FAN Jantes' E. Lamiiin, 5169 E. 27th Place, Tulsa, Ghia.,

assigner oi fifteen percentto Marion E. Lamkin, (Didaho'ma'City, Ghia.

Filed Ian. 18, 1962, Ser. No. 167,670 4 Claims. (C1. dll-39.74)

This invention relates generally to propellant driven fans useful in confined areas where an artificial means is required to circulate the air. More specifically, it relates to a fan which is turbine driven wherein the turbine derives its power from gases generated by an explosive or propellant-type charge. It further relates to a breech mechanism for easily, safely, and conveniently loading, igniting, and unloading the propelling charge.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention particularly useful in bomb or fall-out shelters. Many types of fans have been constructedfor use in shelters and some are relatively satisfactory. Most of them are satisfactory'for simply circulating the air in a shelter, but the problem arises in attempting to provide a satisfactory energy source. Under the conditions in which shelters will be used, a source of power for driving the fans will be very important and very diliicult to obtain with any degree of certainty.

Somefans are driven by alternating current electricity through a motor. An alternating current electrical power source is vulnerable and probably will not be operating. Some electrically driven fans use direct current from storage batteries. Besides the great expense involved, the batteries must either be replaced or recharged. Additionally, some rechargeable batteries emit hydrogen, a very dangerous gas, particularly in confined quarters.

Some fansV are driven by gasoline-type engines. This type of drive is unsatisfactory because of several reasons; for example: exhaust gases escaping (particularly carbon monoxide), diilicultyV in starting, high initial cost, and diiiicult maintenance problems when the shelter and engine are infrequently used.

Other fans proposed are driven by hand. While this is a dependable source of power, it is a very burdensome task. This is particularly true if the shelter must be occupied for an extended period.

The object of this invention is to provide an'improved fan that is relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, and derives its power from a readily' available and dependable power source.`

It is another object offthis invention to provide an imp rovedfan assembly that will completely discharge to the outside of the shelter the gases given olf during iiring of'the` propellant charge.

Still another objectof this invention is to' provide an improvedtbreech mechanism that includes 'an integral tiring mechanism for loading, firing and unloading the propellant charge safely and easily.

A further object of this invention is to provide animproved fan assembly that is driven by a turbine which derives'its power from a` propellant charge. l

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved fan assembly that is driven by'an integrally mounted turbine, driven by the gases generated by a propellant charge which is' fired iny a chamber and by a tiring mechanism integral with said fan.

One form of an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention includes 'a fan mounted for rotational movement on a shaft, a turbine rotor mounted on the shaft adapted to drive the fan, a combustion chamber, a plurality of nozzles arranged whereby gas from the firing chamber drives the turbine rotor, an exhaust blower for discharging gas from the turbine, and a breech mech- 3,149,462 Patented Sept. 22, 1964 fece 2 anism arranged and constructed whereby a propellant charge located in the firing chamber may be fired.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the drawing wherein like reference characters denote like parts in all views and wherein:

FIGURE l is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view, partly cut away showing the fan and housing.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged section View of a portion of the breech mechanism rotated from FIGURE l to show the shell extractor.

FIGURE 4 is an enlargedplan view, partly in crosssection, illustrating the arrangement of the nozzles, and the turbine and exhaust blower blades.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged elevation view of the breech mechanism as seen from the chamber end.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view of the face of the chamber.

FIGURE 7 is a greatly enlarged View, taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3 of the face of the breech head, extractor, and a portion of the tiring pin shown in the cocked position.

FIGURE 7A is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken along line B B of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged view similar to FIGURE 7, except showing the breech head rotated about the firingz pin and showing the firing pin in the fired position.

FIGURE 8C is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken along line C-C of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 8D is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken along a line D-D of FIGURE 8.

For the purpose of clarity of description, an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention may be divided into three major units. The first major unit includes the turbine and'fan. The second includes the combustion chamber. The third includes the breech and ring mechanism.

The specific construction of the turbine and fan unit may bemore easily understood if reference is made to FIGURES 2 and 4 as the following description' proceeds. A fan 38 is mounted on a rotatable shaft 41 which extends axially through the fan 38. The fan 3S is fixed 'to the shaft 41 by means of splines 42 orby any suitable means whereby the fan 38 and shaft 41 rotate'together. Shaft 41 is journalled in load bearings 31 and 39. Bearing 39 is mountedin a member 3) which, in addition to supporting'ibearing 39,V

or screws 35. The housing 34 is so constructed that it` encloses fan 3S leaving only the inlet opening 43 through which air is drawn into the fan 38.- As may be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the housing 34 extends past the outer periphery of fan 33 providing an involute-like discharge. It is this involute form that causes the discharge passage 36 to vary in size as illustrated at numerals 34 and 34a.

The fan is provided with a plurality of blade-like members 37, one form of which may be seen in FIGURES `1 and 2. The fan blades may take the form as used in conventional' air circulation fan or they may be of the squirrel-cage type, or of any suitable form for moving air.

The turbine system includes an exhaust blower 26 combination thrust andv axial' attendez which is axially and rotatably mounted on the shaft 41. Freedom of rotation independent of the shaft 4l is assured by bearing member 40. rThe blower 26 is provided with a plurality of blades 25. One desirable configuration of the blades 25 may be seen in FlGURES 1 and 4.

A turbine rotor I9 having two concentric rows of buckets or blades Ztl and 22 is splined or otherwise xed at 40 to the shaft 41. The arrangement of the blades 2@ and 22 on rotor 19 is illustrated in FIGURE 4. The turbine rotor 19 is also provided near its outer periphery with an inertia member 23. The inertia member 23 may be formed as a continuous ring or by a series of blocks attached to the rotor 19.

rlfhe stator portion of the turbine system is provided by a row of blades 21 arranged concentrically with the rotor blades 2t! and 21. The stator blades 2l may either be integral with or mounted on a turbine housing 29 and are formed as shown in FIGURE 4.

The turbine housing 29 covers substantially all of the turbine system. It is attached to member 30 by a p1urality of rivets, screws, or bolts 35, as was the fan housing 34. An opening near the central portion of the turbine housing 29 provides for the mounting of a nozzle member 17.

Nozzle member 17, as illustrated in FIGURE l, serves several purposes. It may provide a race for bearing 3i. It serves as a portion of a combustion chamber 59. It also, primarily, contains the nozzles i6 and 16a. The nozzles 16 and 16a are formed as shown in FIGURE 4 so that the gases passing therethrough from the combustion chamber 59 are directed properly against the rotor blades Ztl.

The second major unit includes the combustion chamber 59. The chamber 59 is welded, threaded, or otherwise secured to the nozzle member 17 or 14. Chamber 59 includes a firing chamber ttl and an annular expansion chamber i3. The expansion chamber 13 surrounds at least a portion of the tiring chamber l@ and is in communication therewith through gas ports Il.

That end of the combustion chamber 59 away from the nozzle member 1'7 has a reduced outside diameter. Breech locking cams 4 and 4a are arranged on the reduced diameter as shown in FIGURES l and 6. Shown in FIGURE 3 and in FIGURE 6 is a recess 54a which is provided to permit and to aid in the operation of shell extractor 49. Mating surfaces, illustrated by the numerals 12 and 2a, are provided on the face of chamber 59 and on breech block 65 so that a gas-tight seal is formed therebetween. Mounted on the lower surface of chamber 52 is a breech support member 70.

To more clearly understand the operation and construction of the breech mechanism, it is advantageous to refer to FIGURES l, 3, 5, 6, 7, 7A, 7B, 8, 8C and 8D.

The breech mechanism includes an operating handle 1, a breech head 62, a breech block 65, a breech pivoting and disengaging mechanism 6, and a tiring pin mechanism.

The operating handle 1 is rigidly attached to the breech head 62. As shown in FIGURE l, the handle is L-shaped to provide for the rotational and longitudinal movement f the breech head 62 required to operate the breech mechanism. Cam 3 is located on handle l and serves to stop the counterclockwise rotation of the handle when the locking cams 4 and 4a are in a position t0 be disengaged from the breech head 62.

The breech pivoting and disengaging mechanism 6 includes a vertical member pivotally attached to breech head 62 at 7. The pivot 7 permits rotation of the handle 1 and head 62 independent of the disengaging mechanism 6.

A longitudinal member 62 slidable and rotatable on stud 1S permits the movement of the breech mechanism away from the chamber 59 and then allows it to be rotated as shown in FIGURE so that access may be had to the ring chamber ttl. Also, mounted on member 6a is a lug 8, which extends outwardly therefrom, so that it stops the rotational movement of the handle I, block 65 and head 62 about the stud t8 after they have been pulled longitudinally away from chamber 59.

Brecch block 65 is retained in breech head 62 by means of the split locking ring 5 which is shown positioned in groove 5a in breech head 62.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the face of the block 65 is provided with two projecting lugs 55 and 55a which, when the block 65 engages the face of the chamber 5?, enter mating recesses provided therein and prevent further rotation of the block 65 with respect to chamber 59. Block 65 is formed with an annular space 71 whereby a small movement is permitted between block 65 and lock ring 5. This space is required to permit actuation of the shell extractor 49 which extends through the block 65 and to permit cocking of tiring pin 9a. Firing pin 9a which is partially mounted in head 62 extends through a passageway 9b provided in the breech block 65.

Shown in detail in FIGURES 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B iS the cam surface 72 and stop lug '74 which extends from the breech block 65 into the breech head 62 to actuate the tiring pin 9a.

Breech head 62 includes the tiring pin 9a, firing pin spring 9, tiring pin recess 9c, the shell extractor 49, and the extractor groove which extends from 66 to 6I. A boss 66 and cam 67 extend down into firing pin recess 9c. As previously described, the breech head 62 is pivoted at 7 so that it can be rotated at least to some extent with respect to the chamber 59.

The breech head 62 is engaged with the chamber 59 by means of locking cams 4- and 4a and corresponding grooves provided in the breech head 62. The grooves and locking cams are a simplified version of the Welin interrupted-screw-mechanism used particularly on naval guns. The do differ in one respect, however, and that is that the locking cams 4 and 4a are so constructed that once the gas seal is attained breech head 62 may be r0- tated an additional amount sufhcient to actuate the firing pin mechanism as described hereinafter.

The shell extractor 49 has an enlarged head portion 82 which rides in the extractor recess that extends from 60 to 6l. It also has a shank portion 50 which extends through a passageway 54 in block 65 and terminates in a hook-like end suitably formed to latch onto the rim of the propellant charge. A lip portion 83 in the extractor recess is provided to lock the extractor 49 in a position engaging the rim of a shell.

Operation To begin the operation of the apparatus, assume that the breech mechanism is disengaged, the breech is open and the firing pin 9a is cocked. A shotgun shell or other suitable gas-generating explosive-type charge is placed in chamber 19. The handle 1 is rotated clockwise about stud 18 until lug 8 contacts support member 70. The breech mechanism is then moved longitudinally along stud 18 until the breech head 62 is in a position to engage locking cams 4 and 4a. Projecting lugs 55 and 55a enter the mating recesses provided in the face of the chamber 59.

The hook-like end of the shell extractor 49 strikes the edge of the shell and is forced down until the rim of the shell passes the end of the hook. It is then forced up and into engagement with the rim of the shell by the end of the extractor acting against the surface of the groove 54a.

Handle ll is then rotated clockwise about pivot 7. This engages the head 62 with the locking cams 4 and 4a forming gas-tight seals at 15 between the block 65 and head 62 and also at 12 between the block 65 and the chamber 59. Additional clockwise rotational of the breech head 62 moves the cam 67 (see FIGURES 7, 7A and 7B) under the tiring pin tang 64a lifting the tiring pin 9a. The opposite firing pin tang 64 is also lifted out of the recess 73. When the cam 67fh'as almost passed the iring pin tangi- 64, itislid'es o'i the-beveledisurface of the cam 67. Once the tiring pin 9a starts olf the-cani: 67, it is driven rapidly by the energy stored in the spring 9, striking andiiring the shell which is-locked in thechamber 10; The relative positionsof the various parts are illustrated in` FIGURES 8, 8A and S'Bin the fired position.

The gases generated by the exploding shell pass from the firing chamber 1t) through the gas ports 11 into the expansion chamber 13. The gas is coniined under pressure in the chamber' 13 unt-il such time as it is metered out through the nozzle 16 into the turbine housing 29.

Due tothe inertia ofthe turbinerotor 19 it'picksV up speed relatively slowly, but the exhaust blower 26`which has little inertia picks up speedl rapidly. This is ain important feature of the invention because the device is intended. for usein the' confined quarters of a bomb or fall-out-type shelter. The rapidly spinning blower 26 carries off the toxic or at least annoying fumes from the exploding shell through the turb'inedischarge- 4-'6 to the outside of the shelter.

The gas passing through thenozzle 16 strikes'iirst the row of rotor blades 20, then the oppositely directed row ofV stator blades 21, and then the last row of rotor blades 22 which are arranged in a direction opposite the stator blades ZIcauSing the turbine rotor 19,` toA rotate. The reaction of the turbine blades to the changing directions of the gas mass is well understood by tho'se skilled in the art and meritsflittle further discussion;

In a matter of seconds, the rotor 19 is spinning at full speed commensurate with the' energy available from the exploding charge. The gas generated will be expelled Very rapidly. In an effort' to maintain the rotor 19 spinning as long as possible, the-inertia member 23 has been provided on or near the periphery of the tur-bine rotor 19. While the gas will be expended in probably one to three minutes, the rotor 19," dueto the inertia mass 23, will spin for forty-five'minutes to possibly one hour. The exact period of time will depend' on the various factors involved, for example: size ofcharge, size of inertia-mass, efiiciency of the turbine, and size of fan driven.

As pointed out earlier, the turbine rotor 19 is fixed to shaft 41 which has the fan 38 fixed to the opposite end. The fan 38 is driven at the speed of the turbine rotor 19. Inlet 43 of the fan would be exposed'to the atmosphere while the discharge 45 would be directed to the inside of the shelter. Air taken in the inlet 43 from the shelter ventilation system is driven outwardly as shown by arrow 47 of FIGURE 2 into the involute housing 36 and then forced into the discharge outlet 45 in the direction shown by arrow 48.

After the shell has been tired, unloading and cocking of the tiring pin 9a is accomplished by rotating the handle 1 in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 7. The initial movement loosens the breech head 62 on the locking cams 4 and 4a. Additional movement about pivot 7 begins the act of cooking the tiring pin 9a.

Referring to FIGURES 8C and 8D, although the exact position is not shown therein, the cam 67 moves in a counterclockwise direction with handle 1 forcing the tiring pin tang 64a with it. As the tiring pin 9a pivots, the Itang 64 rides upwardly along the cam surface 72 until it drops into recess 73 as shown in FIGURE 7A. The rise of the tang 64 on surface 72 also carries tang 64a upwardly until it has risen suiiciently for the cam 67 to pass underneath, thus returning the ring pin 9a to the relative position shown in FIGURES 7, 7A and 7B.

Unloading of the firing chamber 10 is accomplished by continuing the counterclockwise rotation of the handle 1 about pivot 7 until cam 3 strikes the support member 70 in which position the head 62 is ready to be disengaged 6 from locking-cams 4l and 4a. Avlngitudinalmove'rnent of the breech mechanism al'ongstu'd`18l completely disengagesfthe breech mechanism from the chamber- 59;- To ga-in access to ri'ringchamber 10, all 'that nee'dfbedone is to rotate the handle 1 and breech'mech'anism counterclockwise i about stud 18;

The longitudinal movement ofthe-breechlmechanism along: stud `153 also pulls the expended shell'fromring chamber 10. This occurs because the hook portion of the extractor 49 is1 latched overthe rim of the sh'el-l and is locked in that positionv due to the engagement of the extractor headSZ with the-lip 83" as' the bloclc 65`moves against lockringv5.

The expended shell may then be removed anda new charge placed in the-ring chamber 10;v Theiiring of additional shells or charges is accomplished by'- repeating the operations described'hereinbefore.' g

From the foregoing, it should be evidenti that any number of'shells'or charges may be-redin sequence`. It is of-course'necessary to allow sufficient timefor the gas to clear the chamber- 59. The sequential firing of the charge permits the fan to-be operatedfor'extended periods of time.

It should also be Vpointedou't that a manual operation of the fan can be accomplished by attaching. 1 a simple gear train and hand crank (notL shown) tol theendiof shaft 41 which extendsth'roughithefan-SSi This is rather easily done and a method for 'attaining this feature should be apparent to anyone skilled in'the mechanical arts.

It is believed clear thatfthis invention presents a new, improved, and novel fan system for use in any confined area as well as in bomlan'dV fall-out shelters. It is also believed clear that anew and improved breech mechanismis presented 'which adds'- to the-'practically andI usefulness of the fan system.

It shouldvbe apparent that the foregoing represents but a specific example of anapparatusconstructed in accordance with thei invention andl that'vaiiations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit ofthe invention or from the' scope of `the annexed claims.

What I claim is: I

l.- 1n a breech mechanism fr'use with a firing chamber member adaptedtoreceive a propellant charge, the combination including (1) a firing pin member,

(2) a breech head member rotatable and engageable with said firing pin member and said chamber member,

(3) a spring member operably associated with said tiring pin member and said breech head member,

(4) a breech block member movably located in said breech head member,

(a) said breech block member having projecting means adapted for engagement with said chamber member to prevent relative rotation therebetween,

(b) and said breech block member having a cam surface thereon engageable with said tiring pin member to retain said firing pin member in a position compressing said spring member,

(5) said breech head member having cam means cooperable with said firing pin member and rotatable with respect to said breech block member for moving said tiring pin member into and out of engagement with said cam surface on the breech block member.

2. In a breech mechanism for use in actuating a percussion ignited charge, the combination including (1) a hollow chamber member adapted to receive said charge,

(2) a breech head member rotatable and engageable with said chamber member,

(3) means for rotating said breech head member,

(4) a breech block member movably mounted in said breech head member,

(a) said breech head member having a recess therein adjacent to said block member,

(5) a ring pin member located partially in said recess, said firing pin member being engageable with said head member and block member,

(6) a spring member located in said recess and operably associated with said firing pin member,

(7) means on said block member and head member for moving said ring pin member toward said head member whereby said spring member is compressed and for releasing said tiring pin member whereby said spring member is permitted to drive said firing pin member away from said head member, and

(8) means on said block member and head member for holding said ring pin member in a position wherein said spring member is compressed.

3. In a breech mechanism for use in actuating a percussion ignited charge, the combination including (1) a hollow chamber member adapted to receive said charge,

(a) a pair of locking cams extending radially from the outer surface of said chamber member near one end thereof,

(b) said locking cams being arranged at a slight angle to the longitudinal aXis of said chamber member,

(2) a breech head member having a pair of grooves therein engageable with said locking cams whereby said chamber member and breech head member may be locked together upon relative rotation between said chamber member and head member,

(a) said breech head member having a recess therein adjacent to said block member,

(3) means for rotating said breech head member,

(4) a breech block member movably located in said breech head member,

(5) a tiring pin member having a pair of oppositely directed tang members on one end portion thereof located partially in said recess,

(6) a cam portion of said head member extending into said recess and engageable with one of said tang members,

(7) a lug portion on said breech block member eX- tending into said recess, said lug portion including (a) a cam surface adapted to engage the opposite tang member of said ring pin and (b) a cam recess adapted to retain said opposite tang member of said tiring pin therein,

(8) a spring member located in said breech head recess operably associated with said tiring pin member, and

(9) means adapted to prevent relative rotation between said block member and said chamber member.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 3 wherein said breech mechanism also includes (l) a breech support member mounted on said chamber member;

(2) a connecting member having one end portion thereof pivotally attached to said breech head member and having the other end portion thereof pivotally and slidably mounted on said support member; the arragnement and construction being such that after disengagement of said head member from said chamber member, said head member, means for rotating said head member, and said connecting member may be slid away from said chamber member and then pivoted about said support member whereby access may be had to the interior of said chamber member; and

(3) an elongated extractor member mounted partially in said head member, extending into said chamber member, and engageable with said charge.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,825,926 Shuster Oct. 6, 1931 2,399,248 Patrick Apr. 30, 1946 2,480,593 Moer et a1. Aug. 30, 1949 2,537,063 Kroeger Jan. 9, 1951 2,749,023 Lewis June 5, 1956 2,801,789 Moss Aug. 6, 1957 2,985,104 Fox May 23, 1,961 

1. IN A BREECH MECHANISM FOR USE WITH A FIRING CHAMBER MEMBER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PROPELLANT CHARGE, THE COMBINATION INCLUDING (1) A FIRING PIN MEMBER, (2) A BREECH HEAD MEMBER ROTATABLE AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FIRING PIN MEMBER AND SAID CHAMBER MEMBER, (3) A SPRING MEMBER OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRING PIN MEMBER AND SAID BREECH HEAD MEMBER, (4) A BREECH BLOCK MEMBER MOVABLY LOCATED IN SAID BREECH HEAD MEMBER, (A) SAID BREECH BLOCK MEMBER HAVING PROJECTING MEANS ADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CHAMBER MEMBER TO PREVENT RELATIVE ROTATION THEREBETWEEN, (B) AND SAID BREECH BLOCK MEMBER HAVING A CAM SURFACE THEREON ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FIRING PIN MEMBER TO RETAIN SAID FIRING PIN MEMBER IN A POSITION COMPRESSING SAID SPRING MEMBER, (5) SAID BREECH HEAD MEMBER HAVING CAM MEANS COOPERABLE WITH SAID FIRING PIN MEMBER AND ROTATABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID BREECH BLOCK MEMBER FOR MOVING SAID FIRING PIN MEMBER INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CAM SURFACE ON THE BREECH BLOCK MEMBER. 